DEATH VALLEY, Calif. (WKRC) - A man was rescued from the oppressive heat of one of the country's hottest National Parks after the skin melted off his feet, according to the National Park Service.
Park rangers said a 42-year-old Belgian tourist suffered third-degree burns when he lost his flip-flops in the sand dunes of Death Valley.
"The ground temperature would have been much hotter than the air temperature, which was around 123 degrees," officials said.
His family called authorities for help and other parkgoers helped them carry the tourist to the parking lot, the release stated.
Authorities reported the tourist suffered third-degree "full-thickness" burns on his feet. A National Park ranger said, "The skin was melted off his foot."
Park rangers instantly recognized the man required a hospital due to his burns and pain level, but Death Valley was so hot that it was dangerous for a helicopter to land.
The rangers had to drive the man to higher elevations in an ambulance where the temperature was 109 degrees. Mercy Air transported the man to University Medical Center in Las Vegas.
Park rangers gave some advice to those interested in visiting Death Valley during the heat:
Stay within a 10-minute walk of a vehicle with air conditioning
Do not hike after 10 a.m.
Drink plenty of water
Eat salty snacks
Wear protection (hat and sunscreen)
